Tori, from CLN, had the privilege of interviewing a wonderful author, evacharya  She is author of For June, Charming Mr. Stewart and The God Codex.

Thank you for agreeing to do this interview! It's a pleasure!Could you tell us your name (or pen name) and the pronouns you use?

No, thank you. This is a unique experience for me, and my first interview in a way, so I'm quite excited and chuffed, really. Pleasure is all mine.My name is Eva, and I guess I pronounce it slightly with a Germanic tone, E-va, but oddly, some people hear me say A-va and assume that's my name. It's close enough.

That is interesting! I've always had a similar problem with people misinterpreting what I'm saying because of my accent. Eva is such a beautiful name as well!So tell me, Eva, what made you first start writing?

Oh, that made me laugh. My accent is so mixed, most time people can't tell where I'm from (which I oddly enjoy). So what made me start writing? It was mostly to see if I could. I was 12 when I first attempted to write a story. Before that, I was more an oral story-teller. But, English isn't my first language and I'd discovered story books existed just the year prior, having moved to NZ. Fell in love with the idea that one could write a story. And I think it was my way of finding out whether I could write one down and have it make sense, in English. (Suffice to say, it didn't and I threw it in the trash months later)But another part of it was so that I could improve my English.

I understand. Many people use writing as a way to improve and in your case it seems like you really managed it! I started reading your book "For June" just out of sheer curiosity and ended up falling in love with it, despite the book not being a genre I typically read.What was your inspiration for that book? How did "For June" come to be?

Thank you so much for saying that. It has truly been a fun story to write, and quite a little different to what I normally write within the genre, which is to say, I normally write female MCs and their worlds and their problems. 'For June' really came about when I was in a similar spell as Chad is in the beginning of the book, facing a massive writer's block. It was a tough time for me personally, and I think I needed an escape of sorts. I began the book more so as a reflection of my own situation (not that I'm a traditionally published author yet, unlike his character). It was something I wrote with much hesitation because I wanted to write some thing silly and lighthearted, and something I never thought I'd show people. It was a parody of my life initially, and then the words just started flowing and his life just popped out. I wasn't sure how it was going to go, being a romance novel with a male MC, but I like experimenting so I just continued going with the flow. If that makes sense.

Yes, it does. That is actually such an interesting reason to begin a novel! Who would have even thought that you would end up creating such a gem.There is no doubt that my favourite character in that book was June herself. Her introduction had me almost falling off my chair! She is truly a wonder to read about.So I can't help but ask, what was your inspiration behind her character?

She is an enigma, even till the end of the book in a way, and that was done on purpose because of what she represents to me: the minority, the unknown, the faceless amongst a sea of normal. The actual inspiration behind her was a homeless man I saw one night in a city corner, in pouring rain, in Sydney's winter. I was maybe 18 at that time. It was my first night out in the city with my older siblings and a few friends, and we were trying to get to a restaurant, in China Town, and it passes a few rough streets. Being all girls, obviously, my older sister was on the protective side. This man was standing at a light, playing, or attempting to play this small plastic recorder for money, and even in the rain, I could see that he was crying, perhaps because of the rain, so people couldn't tell if they were tears or just water. It was a moment I almost felt like the sky was crying for him. You could feel the hopelessness he exuded. I don't know why, it's stuck with me, that image. It still moves me. I think, June is that man, who had lost all hope, standing in that city corner for me. He was a mystery... and he's found a place in this story somehow, through her.

That is such a heart wrenching story! It's always difficult to realise just how hard some people have it. I think what you're doing is wonderful! These things need to be talked about more.Similarly to June, do you often use your real-life experiences as tools in your stories?

They certainly do. Some things need to be brought to life. I worry sometimes that June isn't for everyone because of her origin in the story, but you can't please everyone, right? I usually find I write about things that matter to me at the time. Or it's a story that I feel compelled to write, and it's usually rooted to an emotional reaction I have to it. I normally try and find an anchor in real life, whether it's my own experience, or imagined experience of someone, or something I saw, heard. June probably took more from my life than any other book I've written till now, definitely. My second novel was entirely inspired by a woman's life story as she told me when I was working retail. It really depends, to be honest. Like the one I'm currently working on, Ebony&Frank, that was inspired by a newspaper article. I have to feel something for them in order to tell them, I guess. I do try and anchor them to some reality.

You're right, you really cant please everyone.And I see you seem to have some very deep and emotional connections with your books, which is something I love to see. It shows us just how much an author cares about what they write. You've written many stories over your time here, many of them huge successes. So what do you think makes a good story?

To be honest, I feel a little out of depth in answering this question as I still feel like I'm learning on the platform and how it works, but I'll try to answer the question as best I can. For me, a good story has to have a heart, something that is about an emotion at it's core, and it begs a question that needs answering, and through the telling of that story, we get an answer we didn't even know we had asked. Like June is about the question of truth, do you speak your truth, and if you do, what will become of you in the end, can you look yourself in the eye and learn to trust the person you see, or have become. It has to show a change of a personality, in a fantastical yet, believable way. Love, acceptance, taking a chance on oneself, whatever that question maybe.

That is incredibly inspiring! I agree with you completely. Books should tell a story, and not just the surface level plot.I understand you have a very emotional connection with your stories but is there any you feel stronger about? Any book that you would say you have a bias for? if so, why?

I would have to say 'for June', not just because it's the one I recently finished and am polishing up right now, but because I feel I ended up pouring more of me into the story than was intended. Sometimes I feel I gave each character a part of my own personality, and in doing so, it's one that I feel huge gratitude towards. It's something I have enjoyed every process of, from inception, till now, including editing.

Pouring your heart out into a story definitely causes us to have a certain appreciation for it. It's really wonderful to hear that you care this much about it!I think we can move on from your books as I'd like to hear some more about the process.What is your work schedule like when you're writing? Are there any specific places you like to write?

I don't really have a particular place where I write. Since I write the first draft of all my novels into notebooks (yes, I'm a little old-fashioned that way), I can pretty much write anywhere. I wrote my first novel in school and uni, and the second in coffee shops near work. Basically, give me a good cup of coffee and a corner seat where I can watch people without being watched, I can write. Lately, I've been enjoying getting back to writing before bed. I don't really have a schedule. I write when I feel like it, which is terrible and I'm trying to get better at it. For the past year, I've been writing almost full time, but I'm also a screenwriter outside of books, and tend to do those writings at my desk. A typical day for me is, by 10 I'm seated, and I try to work on at least one WIP for a couple of hours, whether that's writing or editing, or planning. By 3-4 pm, I take a break and read or watch things for 'research'. I'm trying to incorporate more writing time at my desk now.

That sounds very similar to the first chapter of 'For June'! I'm starting to see the inspiration.While I think a schedule is useful, it isn't a necessity per se. The way you do things now sound like more than enough! It's good to have goals.Speaking of goals, what are your goals for writing?

The one obvious goal, as most writers do, is to get traditionally published one day, but that is probably an uphill climb. My immediate and more urgent goal is to keep writing better than the book before, and also build a reader base for my works. Part of the reason why I love WP, that we can do that and interact. And I recently discovered I have a knack for sci-fi genre, so I am also looking forward to exploring that end of writing.

Wattpad certainly is wonderful for that! It's so easy to talk to your readers!I'll be looking forward to seeing your name on a published book one day.The interactive part of Wattpad allows for readers to express their thoughts easily. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

While I was writing June, most of the comments were readers reacting to elements in the chapters, or letting me know how much they loved certain thing. At one point, it was more that they were interacting with the characters. To be honest, I have a lot more silent readers than commenters, but I'm in this writing group, Flirting With 30s, where we are all write for that age group and most of my comments come from them, and they are usually really helpful in pinpointing any issues I might have missed.

As a writer myself, simple reaction comments like those can mean so much as well. It really shows that the readers are interested in what they're reading!We talked about your writing journey a lot, but I would like to know more about the Eva behind her stories.What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Oh we're getting into the harder questions! Umm, I obviously enjoy reading, but some of my oddest passions lie in watching crime documentaries, anything with a forensic science element and I'm hooked. I also occasionally enjoy painting, acrylic on canvas, and other times, I enjoy listening to podcast on walks, and while cooking. I love cooking and trying new recipes (though I never fully follow them).

I relate to the crime documentaries! I've always had a thing for gory movies and there's nothing better for that than a forensic scene!You seem to have a wide range of hobbies. I bet you never get bored!You mentioned cooking. Is there any particular dish you enjoy making?

They are quite intriguing. I've recently started watching Dexter, so let's see how that goes. I have dubbed myself Dumpling Queen (Nepali Style), and I do make mean little dessert cups, that are for adults only, since they may or may not contain alcohol.

(Being a Pole, you had me excited at the word 'dumpling') 

The cups sound lovely. A wonderful snack for sure!I'd like to talk a bit about reading, since it must be a big part of your life.Do you have any favourite authors? If so, who are they and what is it about them?

I love reading anything by Tess Gerritsen. She mostly does crime thrillers, and has two recurring female MCs through whom we get her stories. You can probably tell why. I also am a huge fan of Daniel Silva, and his books are more along the lines of espionage, and I love it. Recently, I'd say, I haven't been able to do much reading, but have discovered a new author whose books I want to read, Jilliane Hoffman.

I love the mystery and intrigue in them, and love following the stories till the bad guys are behind bars.

Those are some intriguing names! I've got to admit, I haven't read any books by either of them but I'm sure they have some wonderful stories. What books or authors, if any, have most influenced your own writing?

As you can tell from above, they are nothing like what I write. That's because I can't write those books at all. My influences in writing definitely come from some of the Irish writers. One of whom is Ciara Geraghty, she has an easy sense of writing, and narrative style that is both infused with humor and a sense of melancholy and mischief that I love.

Becoming Scarlett was probably the most influential in the sense of giving me a style to strive for.

I get that! Sometimes the most influential people for you aren't necessarily the ones you like most.Let's go for an easier question. Do you have any favourite quotes? (any source)

Just keep swimming! (Silly, I know, but it really is a motto for me) I apply it to all areas of life, and especially when it comes to writing and not giving up.

Surprisingly, it's something many people go by! For such a silly movie, this quote can really teach us a lot.Do you listen to audiobooks? if so, are there any you'd recommend?

I wish I listened to audiobooks. I find the whole idea that a story gets narrated rather than me actually reading a little unnerving, but I have been meaning to give them a try.

I see. They can be a wonderful way to get in some reading when you're busy with other things.CLN's mascot is the Lynx, which is a nocturnal animal Would you consider yourself a morning bird or a night owl?

Morning bird. I can get up any time and adjust easily, but ask me to stay up all night, and I'll be falling asleep by 11.

Haha I'm the same! I can rarely stay up later than midnight.If you could choose three people to invite to a dinner party, who would you choose and why?

LOL. Aren't you a late nighter? Ooo, a question I've always wanted to be asked, but now I can't think of the people. I would love to have Tess Gerritsen, so I can pick her brain. I think Ava Duvernay, so I can learn more about directing from her, and possibly my dad's father, so I can get to know him a little.

Well, I guess interviews are for exposing people! (Sometimes it's the interviewers themselves)That certainly sounds like a wonderful dinner party. It's a wide range of different personalities!You'll be happy to know we're nearing the end of this interview. Before we finish up, is there anything you'd like to say to your readers?

I just would like to sincerely thank them for giving me and my books a try. In a sea of people, they some how found me or mine, and chose to spend some of their time with me, and that is something so valuable. I send them love, and immense gratitude. Whatever I've managed to achieve in my time at WP has been at their hands and that is beautiful, so thank you, for all the support, and the love, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for such a heartfelt message! And thank you for the chance to interview and get to know you better. It had been an absolute pleasure!The Lynx pack thanks you too.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, truly. I really enjoyed talking to you. I didn't ask your name. May I?

Of course! It's Wiktoria. Although people tend to call me Tori.

Ah, hence Tori for short. I didn't want to presume. Thank you Tori, you've been an absolute delight to talk to. And thank you also for giving June and me a go.

It really was my pleasure!